How long does selling a business take?
Six to twelve months from first conversation to completion, plus twelve months of preparation beforehand if you want the outcome to be good.
Six to twelve months from first serious conversation to money in the account. Plus roughly twelve months of preparation beforehand if the outcome is to be a good one.
Where the months go
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Preparing the information | 4–8 weeks |
| Approaching buyers, first meetings | 6–12 weeks |
| Negotiation to signed intent | 4–8 weeks |
| Due diligence | 6–12 weeks |
| Documentation and completion | 4–8 weeks |
What makes it longer
Missing information is the single largest cause of delay, and delay is expensive in a way owners underestimate — every extra month is another month in which the business must keep performing while you are distracted by the process. Deals that drift usually close lower.
The second cause is a finding in due diligence that was not disclosed earlier. Not because the finding is fatal, but because it converts every remaining item from something accepted into something verified.
What makes it shorter
A complete file, assembled before anyone asks. Three years of reconciled accounts, revenue by customer by year, contracts in one folder, the normalisation schedule with its evidence, and a clear answer to why you are selling.
Preparing your business for sale covers building that file; what buyers look for covers what goes into it.